LAST DAY – Blatchley Middle School eighth-graders sit on the bleachers with family and friends sitting around them Thursday during the annual Rights of Passage ceremony at the school. Students gave speeches and received certificates from principal Ben White during the program which marks the students' transition to high school. Thursday was the last day of school in the district. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

Gertrude was born May 29, 1937, to Louisa Marsden (Feak) and Steven Marsden Sr. of Metlakatla, Alaska.

She grew up in Metlakatla, and attended grade school there but attended high school at Mt. Edgecumbe High School where she graduated.

Gertrude was an awesome Mom of nine, an awesome Gramma of 24 and awesome Gigi of 27. She lived for and loved her family, and prayed daily for them all. She was well known for her kindness and love for all she met, and always found time to pray for everyone.

“She made the best homemade bread ever,” her family said. “It was always a blessing to us to get loaves of her bread for toast.”

Gertrude worked at the Mt. Edgecumbe Girls Dorm on the night shift, where she enjoyed her co-workers and her job.

She and her husband always went to Metlakatla for Founders Day, on Aug. 7, and would stay there for one month to enjoy family there.